Armed robberies at four businesses left employees rattled and Pasco sheriff’s deputies concerned the violence could escalate.
“We started sending numerous resources to flood the area,” said Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco.
Surveillance video and a finger print helped lead investigators to arrest four men.
Isiah McManus, 20; Evan St. Pierre, 20; Dominic Traina, 19, and Devin Shapland, 18, were booked Thursday at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center.
Detectives say they even found a picture of the getaway car on one of the suspect’s Facebook pages.
It’s not the first time, authorities said, robbery suspects have referred to the State Road 54/56 corridor where these robberies took place as ‘soft and sweet.’
“They are saying they are soft targets and they are sweet spots,” said Nocco.
Soft targets in that many businesses don’t have security cameras.
And sweet because criminals have easy access to I-75.
“We’ve had a lot of felony lanes which means people drive into our community commit crime and leave,” said Nocco.
Georges Ghorayeb doesn’t take any chances at Anthony’s Quality Tobacco in Wesley Chapel.
He’s got a high tech security system with cameras everywhere.
“If something happens we have like eight cameras at the store, for our security and for the people’s security as well,” he said.
Authorities said they want business owners to make sure there is security systems
“We are going to do everything we can but we need a partnership with you. Go out there look at your businesses. Please. Cameras help us tremendously,” said Nocco.
Cameras definitely helped crack this latest case.
Fortunately no one was seriously injured in the string of robberies.
